The company, embattled by financial difficulties as well as last
November's news that Gerard Mortier, then City Opera's general
manager and artistic director designate, has reneged on a much
publicized bid to helm NYCO, now plans to present thirty-three
performances of five operas across its 2009-10 fall and spring
seasons. Speaking to the New York Times, Steel said that the
number of performances and productions in the 2009-10 season -
significantly downscaled from what the company has presented in
recent seasons - would be offset by what City Opera planned to
present in 2010-11. "I'm hopeful we'll return to our right size,"
he is quoted as telling the Times. Likewise, Steel estimated
the company's budget for next season as $25 million to $30 million,
down from the approximately $42 million budgets that the company
had at its disposal in recent seasons.

A November 5 opening-night gala concert honor David H. Koch will
feature renowned artists, many of whom began their careers singing
with the company; the concert will also feature a performance by
the New York City Ballet, which will appear at the invitation of
the opera. A November 7 gala performance of Hugo Weisgall's
Esther, which premiered at City Opera in 1993, will open the
company's season proper, and feature soprano Lauren Flanigan in the
title role; Christopher Mattaliano directs the production, which
will feature set designs by Jerome Sirlin, costumes by Joseph
Citarella and choreography by Jennifer Muller. City Opera music
director George Manahan paces the performances. A new production of
Don Giovanni premieres the following evening, and will
feature Daniel Okulitch singing the title role of Mozart's opera.
The staging, directed by Christopher Alden, will feature the set
designs of Paul Steinberg, costumes by Terese Wadden and lighting
by Adam Silverman.

A March 18 gala performance of City Opera's Mark Lamos production
of Emmanuel Chabrier's L'Étoile is slated to inaugurate
the company's spring season; the opera has yet to announce casting
for the performances. Also part of its spring season, the company
plans to revive its Mark Lamos staging of Madama Butterfly
as well as Francisco Negrin's production of Handel's
Partenope, which will feature Cyndia Sieden in the title
role. All of the company's performances during its 2009-10 season
will take place in the David H. Koch Theater - formerly the New
York State Theater - which is currently undergoing an $80 million
renovation.

"This first season in our renovated home will show the many ways
City Opera makes outstanding contributions to the people of New
York and to the world of opera," Steel said in a statement issued
by the company today. "We are excited to return to our audiences,
on schedule, and are thrilled to be moving forward with our plans
for a more expansive 2010-2011 season."

In addition to its mainstage offerings, the company also plans to
present its annual VOX showcase of new American operatic works,
performed by the company's roster of artists and musicians, for the
eleventh year.

As part of its Opera For All program, New York City Opera
plans to offer some 600 seats under $20 for most of its
performances during the 2009-10 season.